The brave young footie fan had been battling a rare form of cancer YOUNG Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery’s parents announced on July 7 that...

The brave young footie fan had been battling a rare form of cancer

YOUNG Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery’s parents announced on July 7 that their little boy had lost his fight with a rare and debilitating form of cancer.

The six-year-old struck up a close bond with Jermain Defoe and captured the nation’s hearts with his winning smile. Here’s how his battle unfolded…

Who was Bradley Lowery?

Bradley Lowery, from Blackhall Colliery, near Hartlepool, battled cancer most of his young life before he lost his fight on July 7.

The six-year-old’s life changed at the age of 18 months when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.

Sunderland fan Brad beat the disease once but after some time in remission it came back in July 2016.

His family desperately raised money for treatment in the US but doctors delivered the heart-breaking news that the little boy’s cancer had become terminal.

The youngster’s mum Gemma announced on Facebook that the youngster sadly lost his battle with cancer at 13:35 on July 7.

Any money raised which did not go towards Bradley’s treatment will be put into the Bradley Lowery Foundation to support others going through the same ordeal.

How did Bradley battle neuroblastoma?

When the cancer first emerged, Bradley developed a tumour so large it was putting pressure on some of his major organs and arteries.

It eventually spread through his chest, lungs, lymph nodes, bone and bone marrow but, after major surgery and high doses of chemotherapy, he managed to pull through and went into remission.

But sadly the cancer returned in July 2016, and in December 2016, his family were told it was terminal.

The little boy’s cancer continued to progress and his family kept people up to date with pictures of the little boy smiling on his hospital bed on Facebook.

In a post to Facebook on May 10, Bradley’s mum Gemma had told how “things are moving too fast” after an MRI scan showed his condition had taken a turn for the worse and he spent his sixth birthday in Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The family had to cancel his holiday to Disneyland, as doctors confirmed a new tumour had been found in his neck.

Days later it was revealed he was having palliative care as he also had tumours in his lungs and the cancer was “spreading at a fast rate”.

Gemma posted a picture of her son on Facebook and said: “I would just like to show you regardless of the pain he is in and that he is going through a hard time he still managed the most beautiful smile #myhero.”

In June 2017, the devastated mum posted a heartbreaking picture of the pained youngster with his older brother – as she revealed he was “deteriorating fast”.

And by the end of the month, it was revealed Bradley had just days to live and had a “bed party” where he said goodbyes to loved ones before snuggling up with Jermain Defoe.

A heart-rending Facebook update on July 5 has described the brave tot as “very close to going with the angels”.

In the latest heartbreaking update on Bradley’s condition before he sadly passed away, his family revealed that the youngster was “no longer responsive”.

Social media became flooded with messages filled with blue heart emojis in a show of support for Bradley in the wake of his passing.

How has the football world reacted to Bradley passing away?

Tributes and messages have flooded in from the football world and beyond since the sad news was announced.

Sunderland AFC released an official statement, honouring the little boy as “an inspiration” who “captured the hearts and minds of everyone at our club”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Bradley’s parents, Gemma and Carl, his brother Kieran and their family and friends,” the club said.

“We extend our love and support to them, now and always.”

Brad’s beloved team also paid a poignant tribute to their young fan with a minute’s applause ahead of their friendly against Bury on the day of Bradley’s death.

The official FIFA.com account posted “Today, the football world lost one of its bravest fans. Rest in peace, Bradley Lowery.”

Former England striker Gary Lineker‏ described Bradley as “A warrior and an inspiration to the end”.